Optical biosensor with focusing optics

Abstract

The invention relates to focusing optics (100) for a biosensor (10) which allow with simple means to accurately image an extended investigation region (13) onto a detector plane (P). To this end, the focusing optics (100) comprises at least two focusing lenslets (LL) that are arranged adjacent to each other such that they image an incident parallel light beam (L2) that is directed along a main optical axis (MOA) onto a common plane (P). The output light beam (L2) that is received by the focusing optics (100) may preferably originate from total internal reflection of a parallel input light beam (L1) at the investigation region (13) of a transparent carrier.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to focusing optics for an optical biosensor, to a biosensor comprising such optics, and to a method for imaging an investigation region onto the detector plane of a light detector.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The WO 2008 / 155716 discloses an optical biosensor in which an input light beam is totally internally reflected and the resulting output light beam is detected and evaluated with respect to the amount of target components at the reflection surface. When a plurality of analytes shall be tested in parallel in such or a similar biosensor, it is often necessary to provide the sample in spatially separated chambers. This increases the field of view that has to be surveyed, leading either to image deteriorations at the periphery of the imaged area or to complex optical systems.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]Based on this situation it was an object of the present invention to provide means that allow the simultaneous detection of ana...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The focusing optics, the optical bio sensor, and the method according to the above aspects of the invention have in common to allow the focusing of several sub-beams of a large parallel output light beam onto different zones of a detector plane. An output light beam with a large diameter can hence be processed while at the same time optical distortions in peripheral areas are avoided because processing is done with respect to sub-beams of limited extension. This allows to survey a comparatively large investigation region of an optical bio sensor with a high accuracy of the optical measurements but without a complex optical system that might be difficult to adjust. Instead, the focusing optics comprising a plurality of lenslets arranged adjacent to each other suffices.

[0019]The investigation region may preferably cover a plurality of physically separated sample chambers, called “wells”, that can separately provide samples. Such wells may for example be realized on the surface of a (transparent) carrier. The provision of separated wells allows to prepare one or more samples under different conditions and to evaluate these preparations in parallel. The plurality of separated wells typically implies a comparatively large, elongated shape of the investigation region. Nevertheless, this investigation region can accurately be imaged onto the detector plane with the help of the focusing optics.

Problems solved by technology

This increases the field of view that has to be surveyed, leading either to image deteriorations at the periphery of the imaged area or to complex optical systems.

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